Hannu covered her ears because she was tired of hearing the insults from the guard Buzu, "If you catch a witch, it will be hard to find a cure." 

"I told you the lady is not here, you come every day, do you have no heart? A little girl like you with stubbornness, and those big eyes like a thief, looking at people without shame? You are a rascal!" 

She slowly looked up at him, feeling the insult, her eyes filled with tears, her small lips started trembling, and her facial expression changed. He thought she would respond because he knew kids these days don't stay quiet when insulted, but she just stepped back, found a spot by the wall, squatted, and started crying. 

He stood there watching her, feeling regret, realizing he had been unfair to her. He never asked why she came to the gate every day. He had chased her away many times, but she kept coming back. 

He moved closer, squatted in front of her, and said, "Stop crying! Tell me why you come here every day looking for the lady?" 

She looked up, her face wet with tears and snot, and said, "I come looking for the lady because I heard she helps girls find jobs and pays them." 

He paused, then asked, "Why are you looking for a job at such a young age? Don't you have any adults at home?" 

She shook her head, "No, there's no one. It's just me and my siblings, and they are sick in the hospital. The doctor said they need surgery, but I don't have the money. That's why I need a job to save money for their surgery so they don't die and leave me alone!" She finished, looking down and crying. 

He now understood why she was so determined to see the lady. He thought, "This poor girl is in distress. But she has a good mind!" 

He held her hand and said, "Stop crying, I'll help you see the lady. Come, let's sit on the bench." 

She stood up and followed him. They sat on the bench for a while before he said, "Stop crying, trust in God. He is the protector of His servants. Pray, and your siblings will get better, and you will play with them again." 

She smiled, feeling comforted by his words. He took out the tea he was brewing, poured some into a cup, and gave it to her. She took it with both hands, as she hadn't eaten since yesterday. He poured himself some tea and started telling her stories. 

She didn't understand what he was saying, but the tea distracted her because it was sweet. She drank it slowly, and he kept refilling her cup. Finally, he said, "You sure can eat! You've finished my tea. When the lady finds you a job, you will have to pay me back for the tea." 

She smiled, surprised he called her a boy, even though she was clearly dressed as a girl. 

Evening came, and the lady hadn't returned. When it was time for the Asr prayer, he opened the gate, fetched water for ablution, and they prayed together. After the prayer, they sat on the mat, him with his prayer beads, and she lost in thought. 

When it was time for Maghrib, they prayed again. Before they finished, he heard the lady's car. 

She was happy, knowing she would finally meet the lady. He quickly opened the gate, and she drove in. He followed her car, praising her as usual. 

She couldn't stop smiling, waiting for the guard to talk to the lady. He opened the car door for her, and she got out. She was a plump, fair-skinned woman, dressed in an expensive blue lace adorned with stones. She wore diamond rings and a diamond necklace, with light makeup and red lipstick. 

He greeted her respectfully, "Welcome back, Hajjaju Makkatu!" 

She looked tired and asked, "Did anyone come while I was away?" She opened the back door of the car, revealing the girls she brought from the village. 

The guard replied, "Yes, many people came, but I told them you were away. There's one child who comes every day looking for you. Today I told him to wait for you." 

She looked at the girl in the hijab sitting on the mat, then at the girls in the car, who hadn't gotten out. She clicked her tongue and said, "Are you planning to sleep in the car?" 

They smiled, and one of them said, "The car is so comfortable, I don't want to get out." 

She shook her head and smiled, "The AC you are enjoying is also inside the house." 

They got out, five of them, looking disheveled, with mismatched clothes and messy makeup. 

She took them from the village, cleaned them up, and found them jobs, earning a commission. 

She told the guard, "Bring the girl inside." 

She then told the girls, "Let's go inside, but behave, or I'll send you back to the village to sell milk at the market." 

They entered the living room, and the girl followed. The girls were amazed by the place, trying to sit on the fancy chairs, but she scolded them, "Don't sit on my chairs, sit on the carpet." 

They settled down, the girl sitting alone, while the others crowded together. She called her maid, "Larai, where are you?" The maid came, yawning, "Welcome back, Hajiya. I was sleeping because I took cold medicine." 

Hajiya said, "I don't believe you, always taking cold medicine. Are you sure you're not doing drugs?" 

Larai laughed, "No, Hajiya, I'm too old for that." 

Hajiya smiled, "Good. Is there any food? I brought girls from the village." 

Larai replied, "No, I didn't know you were coming today." 

Hajiya sighed, "It's my fault for not telling you. We have bread, make tea and noodles for them." 

Larai agreed and went to the kitchen. 

Hajiya went to her room to freshen up. 

The girl prayed silently, hoping to get the job to help her siblings. One of the village girls asked her to turn on the TV. 

She shook her head, afraid of getting scolded by Hajiya. The girls called her a liar, but she ignored them. 

Hajiya came out in her nightwear, holding a phone. The girls sat up straight. 

She sat on a 3-seater, the girl on a 2-seater, and the village girls on the left. 

She spoke calmly, "I've explained everything to you, right?" They nodded. 

She continued, "Now I need to teach you how to do your job properly. You can't go to people's houses looking untidy. You need to know how to clean yourselves, the house, and cook properly. I'll guide you." 

She looked at the girl and said, "You haven't said anything. Why are you looking for me?" 

The girl hesitated, seeing the village girls staring at her. 

Hajiya scolded them, "Stop staring!" They looked down, listening. 

The girl spoke softly, "I heard you help girls find jobs, so I came for help." 

Hajiya held her head, "If I knew, I would have sent you home. I have no job offers now. These girls are the last ones. I'm sorry." 

The girl felt crushed, tears filling her eyes. She had struggled daily to come here. Thinking of her sick siblings, she couldn't give up. She pleaded, "Please help me. I'll do any job. My siblings are in the hospital, and the doctor said they need surgery. We don't have the money, and no one can help us. I'm the only one trying to find a way." 

Seeing her plea, Hajiya felt pity, "Stop crying. How much is the surgery?" 

"Eight hundred thousand naira," she replied, wiping her tears. 

Hajiya nodded, "If I had it, I would help, but money is tight. Where is your house? It's late, I can take you home, or you can stay here and go tomorrow." 

The girl quickly said, "I'll stay. There's no one at home, they're in the hospital. I won't go back until I start paying for the surgery. I can't bear to see them suffer." 

Hajiya said, "Alright, but tomorrow we'll go to the hospital together. I don't take in children without knowing their family." 

The girl agreed, "Okay."